The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 17

As the ink dries on his Anfield contract, Luis Suarez hogs the headlines again with yet another salvo to see off a gutsy Cardiff display. Elsewhere, those hunting differentials will have been warmed by another twin-assist contribution from City’s playmaker, while, at the same time, showing caution ahead of the rotation minefield laid out in front of us.

The Game Changer

Quite frankly, it’s getting tedious. Luis Suarez is taking up too many digital inches on these pages and giving us little option each week but to highlight yet another brilliant performance and devastating haul.

Another 16 points today gives the Uruguayan four consecutive double-figure scores with an astonishing 9 goals accrued over that run. Quite simply, Fantasy managers have not witnessed such consistent, explosive performances since Ronaldo was twisting the blood of full-backs for Man United.

You have to have some sympathy for the Premier League’s other performers, particularly Yaya Toure, a player who is surpassing expectations and redefining his Fantasy status.

Today’s expertly taken free-kick in City’s 4-2 win at Fulham was his fourth deadball strike of the season and his ninth of the campaign. In Fantasy terms, Toure continues to defy our preconceptions – the Ivorian was never really placed in the heavy-hitter bracket but, with his consistent goalscoring from set-plays, with two spot-kicks thrown in, he’s put himself amongst the very top midfield performers.

In any other season, we’d be talking about Toure as a player of the year contender. Right now, however, that particular title appears done and dusted.

The Underused

While Toure’s scoring shows little sign of abating, his team-mate David Silva again underlined his value as an alternative for those seeking a differential. Two more assists in the win at Fulham took him to five for the season. More significantly, it meant that, of nine league starts this season, the Spaniard has returned either a goal or an assist in seven of them.

That level of consistency surely warrants further interest from Fantasy managers who will note that, currently, only just over 5% of the Fantasy Premier League player base own the playmaker. While Silva remains a single booking from a ban, with back-to-back home matches to come, it seems unlikely that many will allow that to influence their decision to swoop.

With Theo Walcott also looking to underline his credentials against Chelsea on Monday night, suddenly there are clear options for those looking to either break up or oppose the established midfield template.

The Selection Poser

With Wayne Rooney present and correct for United today, Sam Allardyce’s decision to bench Jussi Jaaskelainen and Joe Hart’s recall for City were the only real issues facing Fantasy managers. It’s the calm before the storm, however, with rotation clearly looming over the next seven days as the fixture list gets punishing.

Already there are folk questioning how Manuel Pellegrini will rotate for the Etihad clash with Palace that follows the epic Boxing Day meeting with Liverpool. Gameweek 19 is not upon us just yet but is undoubtedly a major rotation concern for all, particularly those considering City assets.

Alvaro Negredo’s owners will at least be somewhat relieved to have seen Edin Dzeko start alongside the Spaniard at the Cottage today, in the hope that both strikers will be allowed to boost their goal tallies against Liverpool and Tony Pulis’s side. The midfield is far less certain, whilst, at the back, Fantasy managers will surely have noted that Aleks Kolarov was handed a starting role at left-back as Gael Clichy switched flanks to solve Pellegrini’s injury concerns. Kolarov, with three starts in the last four, looks a daring differential for the next two City home matches.